U.S. Capitol Police officers patrol on bicycles as security officials prepare for the possible indictment of former U.S. President Donald Trump over an alleged hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 21, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
The U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday ended an investigation into a suspicious truck that triggered an evacuation of the department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“The vehicle has been cleared. Thank you again for your patience as we worked through this investigation,” the department said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The USCP had ordered an evacuation out of an abundance of caution after a police dog “indicated interest” in the vehicle, which was located on the same block as the department’s headquarters on the 100 block of D St. in the Northeast section of D.C.
“It was determined that the vehicle had not followed protocols for entering the U.S. Capitol Complex,” the USCP said in a statement.
“Additionally, a USCP officer saw a suitcase laying on top of plastic wrap in the bed of the truck,” the department said.
Police had closed numerous roads as they carried out the investigation.
The car and its contents were investigated by the USCP’s Hazardous Devices section, which X-rayed the suitcase on top of the plastic wrap and “multiple” others found inside the truck, the department said.
“The vehicle and suitcases were examined and cleared, with no hazardous materials found and the driver of the vehicle was interviewed and released,” the statement said.
The Capitol Police are responsible for security in and around the Capitol complex, which houses both chambers of Congress.
